Search location by ZIP code

NEWS ARCHIVE

Lauren Hill memorial service at Cintas Center

The 10,000-seat Cintas Center is where Hill had one of her greatest moments. Hill made a left-handed layup to open a Division III game on Nov. 2, the first of five layups in her career.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 10:23 PM EDT Apr 13, 2015

Lauren Hill memorial service at Cintas Center

The 10,000-seat Cintas Center is where Hill had one of her greatest moments. Hill made a left-handed layup to open a Division III game on Nov. 2, the first of five layups in her career.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 10:23 PM EDT Apr 13, 2015

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT SHEREE: A CELEBRATION OF ANEXTRAORDINARY LIFE.RIGHT NOW A PUBLIC MEMORIALSERVICE FOR LAUREN HILL IS JUSTBEGINNING ON THE CAMPUS OFXAVIER UNIVERSITY.MIKE: THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AREPAYING RESPECTS TO A COURAGEOUSYOUNG WOMAN WHO NOT ONLYFOLLOWED HER DREAM TO PLAYCOLLEGE BASKETBALL, BUT ALSOINSPIRED MILLIONS MORE WITH HERFIGHT AGAINST A TERMINALDISEASE.WELCOME TO THIS SPECIALCOVERAGE.I'M MIKE DARDIS.SHEREE: AND I'M SHEREE PAOLELLO.FOR THE NEXT HOUR HERE ON WLWT,WE WILL BRING THE SERVICE FORLAUREN HILL, THAT 19-YEAR-OLDWHO NEVER GAVE UP.HER INSPIRATIONAL BATTLE RAISEDMORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS INTHE FIGHT AGAINST A RARE FORM OFCANCER KNOWN AS DIFFUSEINTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA, ORDIPG.MIKE: TONIGHT, WE WILL HEAR FROMTHOSE CLOSEST TO LAUREN,CELEBRATING A POISE AND WISDOMWELL BEYOND HER 19 YEARS.RIGHT NOW YOU SEE THAT NETLYINGNEAR HER CASKET.THIS IS THE AIR I -- AREAWHERESHE SCORED THAT BASKET.THE GAME WAS MOVED TO XAVIER'SCAMPUS AND THEY SOLD WITHIN ANHOUR 10,000 TICKETS.SHE SCORED THEBASKET, ANDTHE MOMENTUM GOT GOING FOR THISGREAT CAUSE THAT SHE DECIDED SHEWANTED TO PUT HER FACE ON.SHEREE: HER TEAM IS GOING TOBETHERE, BUT ALSO HER LAWRENCEBURGHIGH SCHOOL TEAM.THE HIRAMPLAYERS.THE TEAM WHO PLAYED THAT GAMEAGAINST LAUREN, THEY ARE THERETONIGHT AS WELL.FROM WHAT YOU ARE WATCHING NOW,THEY ARE PASSING HER JERSEY TOHER COACH RIGHT THERE, AND HERCOACH AT MOUNT ST.JOE WILLPLACE THE NUMBER ON HER CASKET.MIKE: THIS IS HER COACH,ANDWHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWNWITH HER, HE WAS HER SECONDFATHER.THIS IS A GUY WHO HE MADE IT HISMISSION WHEN LAWRENCE AND I WANTTO PLAY IN A COLLEGE BASKETBALLGAME, DAN BENJAMIN SAID I WILLMAKE IT MY MISSION TO MAKE THATHAPPEN.HE SPOKE TO THE NCAAAND MOVEDTHE GAME UP A COUPLE WEEKS SOTHEY COULD PLAY IN EARLYNOVEMBER.YOU CAN SEE THE BASKETBALL ANDTHE NET SITTING THERE NEXT TOHER CASKET.IT IS A SPECIAL NIGHT IN THEGREATER CINCINNATI AREA.THIS YOUNG WOMAN, THE STORYCANNOT MUCH BIGGER THAN HERREGION, AND YOU REALIZE THAT THEDAY SHE DIED, AS YOU SEEMORE PEOPLE FILING.WHEN YOU SEE ALL THE TWEETS FROMLEBRON JAMES, CELEBRITIES ALLACROSS AMERICA, THE DAILY MAIL,PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIESKNEW ABOUT THE STORY OF LAURENHILL AND IT REALLY INSPIRED NOTONLY OUR AREA,BUT SO MANYTO GET INVOLVED IN HER FIGHT.SHEREE: IF YOU GO BACK A YEAR,IT NOBODY WOULD HAVE THOUGHTTHAT LAUREN HILL WOULD BECOME AFAMILY NAME, THAT EVERYONE WOULDKNOW WHO SHE IS AND WHAT SHESTOOD FOR.I REMEMBER GETTING A CALL FROM APHOTOGRAPHER OF OURS WHO SAID,LISTEN, THERE IS THIS GREATSTORY OUT IN GREENDALE ABOUT AYOUNG GIRL, NOT A GREAT STORY,BUT HER MESSAGE IS A GREAT ONE,AND HER NAME IS LAUREN HILL.SHE WAS IN SOUTHEAST INDIANA.SHE HAD TERMINAL BRAIN CANCER,AND HER MISSION IS TO GET TOPLAY A COLLEGE GAME AND TO RAISEAWARENESS ABOUT CANCER.MIKE: THOSE ARETHE PARENTS,INCLUDING THE MOM, LISA HILL,GETTING READY TO BEGIN ANYMOMENT NOW.I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR US TOLISTEN INTO THE SERVICE HERE.GOOD EVENING.I AM JOHN TROKAN, RELIGIOUSSTUDIES PASSER AT MOUNT ST.JOSEPH UNIVERSITY.ON BEHALF OF THE HILL FAMILY, IWOULD LIKE TO EXTEND AND WELCOMETO YOU FOR THIS SERVICE FORLAUREN, AND THANK YOU FOR YOURPRINCES A PATIENT AND YOURGENEROUS SUPPORT AND PRAYERS FORLAUREN, FOR HER FAMILY, AND FORTHE CURE.THE LAST TIME MOST OF US WEREGATHERED AT THE CINTASWASNOVEMBER 2, TO WITNESS A DREAMCOME TRUE FOR YOUNG WOMAN WITHAN INOPERABLE BRAIN TUMORWHOWANTED TO PLAY COLLEGEBASKETBALL.AS WE SHARED THE WONDER AND JOYOF THAT DAY, WE CAME TO REALIZETHE DEPTH OF LAUREN'SDREAMS --TO GIVE HOPE TO THE CHILDRENSTRICKEN WITH DIPG, TO BE AVOICE FOR THE VOICELESS, AND TORAISE RESEARCH MONEY TO FIND ACURE FOR THIS CANCER.WE GATHER TONIGHT TO MOURN HERLOSS, BUT ALSOTO HONOR LAUREN'SLIFE.HER COURAGEIN RISKING A DARINGRESPONSE FOR OTHERS AND HERINCREDIBLE FAITH, BESTSUMMARIZED IN LAUREN'S OWN WORDS.I QUOTE --"I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TOCHERISH THEMOMENT WITH NOANXIETY ABOUT THE FUTURE BECAUSETHE NEXT MOMENT IS NEVERPROMISED.NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING UNSAID.I HAVE LEARNED TO SEE THEBLESSINGS IN EVERY MOMENT AND TOEVERY STRUGGLE, NO MATTER HOWTOUGH IT MIGHT BE.NOTHING HOLDS ME BACK FROMLIVING MY LIFE AND CHASING MYDREAMS.I ALWAYS FINISH WHAT I STARTANDSEE IT THROUGH TO THE END.NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS.FIND SOMETHING TO FIGHT FOR.I FIGHT FOR OTHERS."LAUREN HILL.PLEASE HOW YOUR HEADS IN PRAYER-- PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS INPRAYERS.GOOD AND GRACIOUS GODS, WE THANKYOU FOR THE GIFT OF LAUREN HILL.WE PRAY IN GRATITUDE FOR HERLIFE LIVED FOR THE WELL-BEING OFOTHERS AND FOR WHAT SHE ISTEACHING US ABOUT CHERISHINGLIFE, COURAGE,PERSEVERANCE,CARING, AND FAITHFULLYLIVING INTHE GRACE OF THE PRESENT MOMENT.WE PRAY THAT AS YOUR LIGHTSHINED THROUGH HER, YOUR ETERNALLIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO SHINEUPON HER.GOD, WE PRAY THISEVENING FORCONTINUED BLESSINGS AND COMFORTFOR THE HILL FAMILY WHO HAVELOVED LAUREN INTO LIFE.FOR HER COACHES AND TEAMMATESWHO HAVE WALKED WITH HER ON THISJOURNEY, FOR THE MEDICALPROFESSIONALS AT CHILDREN'SHOSPITAL WHO COMPASSIONATELYCARED FOR LAUREN AND THECHILDREN ENTRUSTED TO THEM, ANDFOR HER LAWRENCEBURGCOMMUNITY.WE PRAY FOR ALL THOSE SUFFERINGFROM CANCER AND LOST.GOD, WE PRAY FOR ALL GATHERED ATTHIS SERVICE, THAT ME WAY WALKIN LAUREN'S SPIRIT AND CHOOSE TOLIVE FOR OTHERS.WE PRAY THIS TOGETHER IN THENAME OF JESUS OUR LORD ANDBROTHER, AMEN.IT IS MY PLEASURE TOINTRODUCEDR. MARIKODEWIRE, A PEDIATRICONCOLOGISTS AT CHILDREN'SHOSPITAL.DR DEWIRE HAS BEENLAUREN'SPHYSICIAN, DR., AND FRIEND.PLEASE WELCOME DR. DEWIRE.[APPLAUSE]DR.DEWIRE: LAUREN AND I HAVESHARED SO MANY SWEET MOMENTS ANDCOMMON INTERESTS.SPECIFICALLY, OUR LOVE FOR HERFAMILY, FRIENDS, AND OUR BIBLEVERSES.I WAS ALSO BLESSED ENOUGH TOEVEN SHARE OUR LOVE TO EATBROCCOLI DAILY.WHEN ASKED HOW HAS LAURENIMPACTED YOU, MY RESPONSE ISTHAT LAUREN HAS TAUGHT ME WHATIT MEANS TO BE BRAVE --B-R-A-V-E.THE B REPRESENTS THAT SHE ISFIRST AND FOREMOST A BELIEVER INGOD.AS PRINTED ON ONE OF HERT-SHIRTS, JOSHUA 1:9, BE STRONGAND COURAGEOUS, DO NOT BEAFRAID, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED,FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BEWITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.DESPITE BEING DUG DENTIST--DESPITE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH DIPG, SHE NEVER DOUBTED GOD ANDALWAYS TRUSTED HER.THE R STANDSFOR --HER FACE AND VOICE REPRESENTSALL THE PATIENTS WHO HAVE FACEDDIPG.SHE HAS INFORMED THE NATION OFTHE UNMET LEAD -- NEED TO FUNDRESEARCH QUICKLY.THE AIDENTIFIES LAUREN AS ANARTIST.SHE EXPRESSED HER FEELINGS ANDTHOUGHTS THROUGH WORDS,MUSIC,DRAWING, AND PAINTING.ONE OF HER FAVORITE PIECES OFART WAS IN HIGH SCHOOLOF THENORTHERN LIGHTS AND HER HOPE TOSEE THEM IN PERSON SOMEDAY.UPON DIAGNOSIS, SHEPAINTED ACANVAS WITH BRIGHT COLORS OFWHAT SHE ENVISIONED OF THE TUMORAND HOW TO ATTACK THE TUMORTHROUGH ART.SHE ALSO NAMED HER TUMOR TLB.THE V STANDS FOR THEINTERIOR --VICTORIA'S HERO.SHE IS A VICTORIA'S HERO IN HOWSHE CONTINUED TO LIVE OUT HERLIFE.SHE WAS DETERMINED TO BEAT DIPGBY TAKING CHARGE OF NOT ALLOWINGTHEDIAGNOSIS TO IMPACT HER LIFEAND HER LIFE'S MISSION.HER SEPARATENESS ANDDETERMINATION WERE THEFOUNDATION TO HELP HER WIN ANDBECOME VICTORIOUS.AND EREPRESENTS TO US HEREVERLASTING LEGACY.LAUREN HAS FOREVER CHANGED THEFACE OF DIPG.HER MISSION TO INCREASEAWARENESS HAS NOW BEENCOMPLETED.NOW SHE HOLDS ALL OF USACCOUNTABLE TO MOVE THE FIELDRESEARCH AT A RAPID PACE,RESULTING IN A CURE.WE, THE NEURO-ONCOLOGYCOMMUNITY, AS SHE QUOTES,WILLNEVER GIVE UP, UNTIL WE CAN HELPFAMILIES AND PATIENTS THAT ACURE IS POSSIBLE.ON BEHALF OF CINCINNATICHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICALCENTER IN THE NEURO-ONCOLOGYTEAM, WE ARE HONORED ANDCOMMITTED TO CARRY OUT LAUREN'SLEGACY.AS HER PHYSICIAN AND FRIEND,THANK YOU, DR. LAUREN HILL, ALSOKNOWN AS MISS GEORGINA SPARKLES,FOR MAKING ME A BETTER DOCTORAND SHOWING ME HOW TO BE BRAVE.AS ALAUREN SURRENDERED WITH HERLAST FEW BREATHS, HER IPOD,WHICH WAS ALWAYS PLAYING HERPLAYLISTS, THE FOLLOWING SONGTITLED "HERO" BY HENRIQUEIGLESIAS PLAYED AS SHE TOOK HERLAST BREATH HERE ON EARTH.SHE TRULY IS A VICTORIOUS HERO.[APPLAUSE]LET ME BE YOUR HERO.♪ WOULD YOUCAREIF I ASKED YOU TO GIVEWOULD YOU RUNAND NEVER LOOK BACK?WOULD YOU CRYIF YOU SAW ME CRYING?WOULD YOU SAVE MY SOULTONIGHT?WOULD YOU TREMBLEIF I TOUCHED YOUR LIPS?OR WOULD YOU LAUGHOR WOULD YOUDIEFOR THE ONE YOU LOVED?HOLD ME IN YOUR ARMS TONIGHTI CAN BE YOUR HERO, BABYI CAN KISS A WARY THE FEARI WILL STAND BY YOU FOREVERWOULDYOU SWEARTHAT YOU ALWAYS BE HEREHAVE I LOST MY MIND?I DO NOT CAREWHERE YOU WILL BETONIGHTI CAN BE YOUR HERO,BABYICAN KISS AWAY THE PAINI WILLSTAND BY YOU FOREVERYOU CANTAKE MY BREATH AWAY.♪OH, I JUST WANT TO HOLD YOUI JUST WANT TO HOLD YOU, OH,YEAHMI INTO DEEP?HAVE I LOST MY MIND?WELL, I DO NOT CAREYOU'RE HERE TONIGHTI CAN BE YOUR HERO, BABYI CAN KISS THE WAYTHE -- I CANKISS AWAY THE PAIN, OH, YEAHI WILL STAND BY YOU FOREVERYOU CAN TAKEMY BREATH AWAYI CAN BEYOUR HEROI CAN KISS AWAY THE PAINAND I WILL STAND BYYOU FOREVERYOU CANTAKE MY BREATH AWAYYOU CANTAKE MY BREATH AWAYI CAN BE YOURHERO ♪ ♪JOHN: BRADJOHANSON IS AT ANCHORAND REPORTER IN CINCINNATI.READ HAS BECOME LIKE A FAMILYMEMBER TO THE HILL FAMILY.AND HIS COMPASSION IN INTERVIEWSWITH LAUREN AND HER PARENTS HAVEENABLED US TO NOT ONLY KNOWABOUT LAUREN, BUT TO NOLAUREN-- BUT TO KNOW LAUREN.PLEASE WELCOME BRAD JOHANSEN.[APPLAUSE]BRAD: BACK AT THECINTAS, FULLCIRCLE.EVERY GREAT STORY COMES FULLCIRCLE.ALMOST LIKE THE CIRCLE OF LIFE.EVEN GREAT ATHLETES KNOWYOUPLAY LIKE YOU PRACTICE.WHAT IF YOU DO NOT?I HATE THEWHAT-IF GAME.HATE IT.BUT IF YOU ARE 12 -- SEVEN ATHOME, YOU PLAY THE WHAT-IF GAME.IF YOU HAD ONE SUPERHEROPOWER,WHAT WOULD BECOME AND I CHOSE TOFLY, WHICH IS STUPID BECAUSE IAM I'M AFRAID OF HEIGHTS AND IHATE ROLLER COASTERS, SO I DONOT KNOW WHY I CHOSE THAT.ONE OF THEM CHOSESUPERSPEED, AND ONE OF THEMCHOSE TELEKINESIS, AND ONE CHOSEINVISIBILITY.LAUREN WANTED THE POWERTOCHANGE THE WORLD.SHE WANTED TO READ THAT THEWORLD OF CANCER -- TO RID THEWORLD OF CANCER.WHAT A DREAMER.ECCLESIASTES 5:7, IT SAYSDREAMING INSTEAD OF DOING ISFULL INITIAL, AND THERE ISRUINED AND A FLOOD OF EMPTYWORDS.LAUREN HAD VERY FEW EMPTY WORDS,AND OUR FIRST INTERVIEW SHE TOOKOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC BACK TOHER ROOM AND SHOWED HER THEJERSEY THAT SHE HAD BEEN GIVEN,THE LAWRENCEBURG JERSEY, THE 22.SHE HAD BEEN GIVEN JUST DAYSBEFORE ON HER 19TH WORD STAKE,OCTOBER 1, HE SAID I TOLD MYPARENTS, I JUST WANT TO PUT THISJERSEY ON BECAUSE IT MAKESME FEEL LIKE I AM A SUPERHERO,LIKE I CAN DO ANYTHING, LIKE IWAS AS STRONG AS I WAS BEFORE.SHE WANTS TO BE IN THEGAME.SHE WANTED TO WEAR THE JERSEYALL THE TIME, AND WHEN SHE COULDNOT, SHE WOULD ACT SAID SHE WAS-- SHE WOULD ACT AS IF SHE WAS.IN THE ERA OFSELFIES, JUDGMENTWITHOUT CONSEQUENCE, WHAT IS INIT FOR ME, LAUREN REFUSED TOHIDE.SHE WAS INSISTENT ON BEINGVULNERABLE.FLOWERS THAT WERE PICKED OUT FORTHE FUNERAL,THERE WAS A LITTLEGIRL WHO WAS STANDING BY AS THEARRANGEMENT WAS BEING MADE.SHE SAID, WHO IS THISARRANGEMENT FOR, AND SHE SAID ITWAS FOR LAUREN HILL, AND SHESAID, WHICH LAUREN HILL?WAS IT THE ONE WHO PLAYBASKETBALL OR THE CHUBBY CHEEKEDONE?LAUREN WOULD LAUGHAT THAT,BECAUSE LAUREN LAUGHED ATHERSELF.IN A SOCIETY WHEN WE GET A ZITON HER CHIN AND WE REFUSE TO GOOUTSIDE, LAUREN WANTED TO BESEEN MOST OF ALL.SHE WANTED ME TO INTERVIEW HERAT HER WORST SO PEOPLE WOULDUNDERSTAND WHAT THE DISEASE WASDOING.I ASKED HER BEFORE THANKSGIVING,DON'T YOU EVER WONDER WHY ME?SHE SAID, WELL, I PROBABLY HAVE,BUT I ASKED FOR THIS.I SAID, WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOUASKED FOR IT?SHE SAID, WHEN I WAS FRUSTRATED,I SAT DOWN WITH GOD AND I SAID,IF YOU GIVE ME TIME, I WILL DOEVERYTHING YOU ASK OF ME.I WILL BE THE VOICE FOR THEVOICELESS, I WILL STAND UP FORTHE CHILDREN.JUST GIVE ME TIME.AND HE HAS.SO I HOPE I HAVE DONE ALL HE HASASKED ME TO DO.WE WERE NOT SURE WE WERE GOINGTO GET ANOTHER INTERVIEW AFTERTHAT, AND YET BEFORE CHRISTMAS,WE WONDERED WHAT WAS ON HERLIST.ACTUALLY, HER DAD WONDERED WHATWAS ON HER LIST.CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT SHEWANTS FOR CHRISTMAS, AND I KEPTTELLING DAD, SHE SAID, I DO NOTWANT ANYTHING FOR CHRISTMAS.I JUST WANT TO BE HERE.I JUST WANT TIME.WE WERE NOT SURE SHE WAS GOINGTO MAKE IT TO THE HOLIDAYS.WE TALKED AGAIN, AND ISAID,WHAT IS ON THE LIST NOWSHE SAID I WANT TO SEE THE GU,YM OPEN AND LAWRENCEBURG.SEE SAID THE DIPGGALA, I WANTTO BE THERE FOR THAT.IT IS COMING UP ON SATURDAY.SHE IS DRESSED IN HER GOWN.SHE WILL BE THERE.SHE SAID, I WANT TO SEE ERIN'SBRACES COME OFF HURT TEETHBECAUSE SHE HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFULSMILE AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEETHEM WHEN THEY COME OFF.AND, ERIN, IGUARANTEE THEMOMENT THEY DO, SHE WILL BETHERE.NEVER, NEVER DID I HEAR HER SAYWHAT IS IN IT FOR ME?SHE WAS PURPOSEDRIVEN.FIRST LINE AND RICK WARREN'SPURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE IS ONE THINGYOU NEED TO GO, IT IS NOT ABOUTME.LAUREN LEARNED THAT LONG BEFORESHE WAS 18, WHILE MOST OF US ARESTILL TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.GIVE -- SHE WOULD GIVE.SHE GAVE UNTIL IT HURTS.SHE PLAYED IN PAIN.WHEN WE DEVELOPED THE LAY-UP FORLAUREN, SHE WAS MAD AT ME THATDAY.SHE PLAYED THROUGH IT.WHEN SHE COULD NOT PLAY ANYMORE,SHE COACHED THROUGH IT.WENCH COULD COACH ANYMORE, SHEAPPEARED.WENCH CANNOT STAND ANYMORE, SHEWHEELED HERSELF IN.SHE WAS ALWAYS UP.I DO NOT REMEMBER SEEING HERDOWN EVEN IN PAIN CAN EVEN INCRYING.SHE HAD SOMETHING POSITIVE TOSAY, BECAUSE SHE KNEW WHERE SHEWAS GOING.UP.NEVER GIVEUP.THE BASKETBALL FRIEND OF MINEWHO PLAYED HEREWROTE ME ANE-MAIL THE DAY THAT LAUREN DIED.SHE SAID HER SIX-YEAR-OLD,DAUGHTER SHE TOLD HER IN THEMORNING, AND HER DAUGHTER SAID,THAT IS GREAT, MOM.NOW LAUREN IS WITH DON AND JESUSAND CAN RUN AND PLAY BASKETBALLAND SHE WILL NOT HAVE TO WEARGLASSES ANYMORE.WOW.WHAT KIND OF SUPERPOWERED TO YOUWANT -- WHAT KIND OF SUPERPOWERDO WANT?SHE WAS NEVER WORRIED ABOUT ME.SHE SAID I AM NOTSCARED TO DIE.I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING.I'M WORRYING ABOUT WHO IS LEFT.SO SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT ALL OFYOU.WHAT IF-- WHAT IF IT WAS NOTABOUT YOU?THE WEDNESDAY SCRIMMAGE BEFORETHE NOVEMBER 2 GAME, I SAT DOWNON THE BENCH WITH HERATCINCINNATI STATE, AND WE SMILED.WE LAUGHED ABOUT THE GAME THATWAS COMING UP, AND I DO NOT KNOWWHY IT CAME UP, BUT WE STARTEDTALKING ABOUT HEAVEN.I SAID, DO YOU THINK ABOUTHEAVEN?SHE SAID, OH, YEAH.I SAID, HOW COOL IS THAT?YOU ARE GOING TO GET A CHANCE TOSEE HEAVEN.IT'SPRETTY COOL.AND BECAUSE I AM ALL ABOUT ME, ISAID, HEY, WHEN YOU GO, YOU WILLNOT FORGET ABOUT ME, WILL YOU?YOU WILL STILL LET ME KNOW YOUARE AROUND?SHE SAID, OH, YEAH, I WILLTURN YOUR LIGHTS OFF AND ON.ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WE WENT TOTHE LION KING THAT STARTED AT8:00 P.M.WHEN DID THEY STARTED AT EIGHT A8:00 P.M..WE BARELY MADE IT TOINTERMISSION, AND MY SON WASSNORING ON MY SHOULDER, ANDWALKING OUT, I LISTENEDTO THECIRCLE OF LIFE, THAT I COULD NOTHELP BUT THINK ABOUT LAUREN.AND AS WE DROVE BACK INTO OURDRIVEWAY, OUR PORCH LIGHT WASOFF.AND MY WIFE SAID, WHY IS OURLIGHT OFF?OUR LIGHT BURNED OUT?NOT AGAIN.WE GOT INTO THE HOUSE AND SHEFLIPPED THE SWITCH, AND THELIGHT WENT BACK ON.OLAUREN, YOU ARE DOING IT TOME ALREADY.TO BRENT AND LISA,THANK YOU FORSHARING YOUR DAUGHTER WITH THEWORLD.WHEN PARENTS GET A DIAGNOSISTHAT THEIR CHILD MAY HAVE TWOYEARS TO LIVE, YOU WANT TO HOLDHIM TIGHT, KEEP THEM TOYOURSELF.YOU SHARED THEM WITH EVERYONE.THANK YOU FOR SHARING LAUREN.TO ERIN, HE SAID TO ME IN THEFIRST INTERVIEW, I IMAGINE THISDAY IS GOING TO BE REALLYDIFFICULT, AND IT HAS BEEN.ERIN, YOU WILL SHINE WAY BEYONDLAUREN BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT SHEWANTED.TO NATE, HE SAID TO ME WHEN IFIRST TALKED TO HIM, SHE ISATHLETIC, SHE IS SMART, AND IHOPE SOMEDAY I CAN BE LIKE HER.NATE, YOU ALREADY ARE.YOU WILL SURPASS HER AS WELL,JUST LIKE SHE WANTED.SHE ASKED SOMETHING OF EVERYONE.FORGETABOUT THE PAST.YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING.ON FROM IT AND TAKE IT FORWARD.DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE.BECAUSE TOMORROW IS NEVERPROMISED.TODAY IS ALL THATMATTERS.WHAT KIND OF POWER DO YOUCHOOSE?WE ASSURED'SLASTDAY WE ASSUREDLAUREN'S LAST MOMENTS TOGETHER-- WESHARED LAUREN'S LAST MONTHTOGETHER.THIS IS OUR TRIBUTE TOHER.WE WERE AT THE SURPRISE PARTY.LAUREN: I TOLD MY PARENTS IWOULD WEAR IT LIKE A SUPERHEROUNIFORM BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME OFBEING STRONG.AS STRONG AS I WAS BACK THEN.BRAD JOHANSON:BACK THEN WAS ASA LAWRENCEBURG HIGH SCHOOLTIGER.BASKETBALL WAS HER PASSIONBECAUSE YOUR SOCCER COACH AS AGOALIE.AFTER NOT THAT HER SOCCER COACH-- HER SOCCOR COACHCUT HER AS AGOALIE.LAUREN: IT IS BOUNCING BACK TOYOUR FEEDS THAT IS THE MOSTIMPORTANT PART.BRAD JOHANSON: ON HER 18THBIRTHDAY HE COMMITTED COMMITTEDTO PLAYING AT MOUNT SANDRA OH.-- MONA SAINT JOE.LAUREN: THAT WAS THE NIGHT ICALLED TO CONFIRM.BRAD JOHANSON: THE DIAGNOSISFOLLOWED.DIPG, DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINEGLIOMA.SHE WAS GIVEN TWO YEARS MAXIMUMTO LIVE.WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGED IN THEBRAIN BUT NOT IN THE HEART.REMODEL WAS NEVER GIVE UP.NOT THAT SHE GOT HER --HER MOTTOWAS NEVER GIVE ALL CAPS.NOT THAT SHE EVER DID BEFORE.BRAD JOHANSON: LIVES SHE DIDWITH PURPOSE.HER CANCER USUALLY STRIKESCHILDREN BETWEEN FIVE AND EIGHT.AT FIRST IT DID NOT MAKE SENSEBUT AFTER A PRAYER SESSION ITBECAME CLEAR SHE NEEDED TO BETHE VOICE FOR THE CHILDREN THATCOURT NOT ARTICULATE THEFRUSTRATION AND FUTILITY SHE WASFEELING.LAUREN: I WAS DESPERATE AND IGOT, I DID NOT WANT TO BE -- IASKED GOD, I DID NOT WANT TO BEA LOCAL STORY THAT DISAPPEAREDAND I PRAYED THAT GOD WOULD KEEPME HERE AND I WOULD DO ANYTHINGTO BE THE VOICE FOR LITTLE KIDS.BRAD JOHANSON:LAUREN BEGAN HERJOURNEY, HOLDING FUNDRAISERS ANDSPEAKING OUT ABOUT THE DISEASEINSIDE HER HEAD.NOT MANY NOTICED UNTIL THEBASKETBALL SEASON APPROACHED.WHAT DID SHE SAY?LAUREN: THERE IS NOTHING REALLYYOU CAN SAY BECAUSE YOU CANNOTDO ANYTHING.BRAD JOHANSON: GIVEN UNTILDECEMBER TO LIVE, LAURA AND WASDETERMINED TO PLAY COLLEGEBASKETBALL, AT LEAST ONE GAME.AFTER HIRAM COLLEGE AGREED TOGIVE UP ONE GAME THE GAME WASMOVED TO NOVEMBER 2.SHE PUT TEAMMATES FIRST ANDFAMILY FIRST AND TO GIVE HERTHAT LAST WHICH WOULD BEINCREDIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM ANDPLAYERS.BRAD JOHANSON:WHEN WE TOLD THESTORY IT BECAME A GOAL BACK FORTHE COACH OF THE TEAMMATES, ITBECAME A GOAL FOR CINCINNATI ANDTHE NATION TO SEE HER PLAY.THE GAME MOVED TO THE CINTASCENTER AND SOLD OUT.ON NOVEMBER 2, LAUREN HILLPLAYED COLLEGE BASKETBALL.REVOLT GOES DOWN TO.-- VIA BALL GOES DOWN TO LAURENHILL.ITIS GOOD.WE WILL REMEMBER THAT.BRAD JOHANSON: ONELAYUP TO OPENTHE GAME AND ONE DREW CLOSE IT.SHE OF COURSE CORRECTED MEDURING THE BROADCAST.LAUREN: IT IS MY FIRSTCOLLEGIATE GAME.BRAD JOHANSON: SHE WOULD PLAY INFOUR GAMES BEFORE CALLING IT ACAREER.INCLUDING ONE AT MOUNT SAINTJOE.FIVE BASKETSAND ALL.SHE HAD A GOLD TO RAISEAWARENESS AND FUNDING.LAUREN:DIPG HAS TAKEN AWAY TOOMANY LIVES.BRAD JOHANSON: AND THE SUPERHEROWAS BORN.NETWORK INTERVIEWS,INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITY, LAURENWAS MAKING GOOD ON EVERYTHING'SUSE OF SHE WOULD.LAUREN: I WANT TO CITE-- WANT TOTHANK EVERYBODY FOR DONATING.BRAD JOHANSON:THE VOICE FOR THEVOICELESS CHILDREN AND THE NAMEBEHIND THE BATTLE AGAINSTPEDIATRIC CANCER.LAUREN: I AM NOT FIGHTING FORMYSELF, I AM FIGHTING FOR OTHERSAND FOR THE FUTURE.REGIONS ARE ALL CANCER.BRAD JOHANSON: ON -- WE CAN CUREALL CANCER.BRAD JOHANSON:ON FEBRUARY 6 SHEWAS PROVIDED AN HONORARYDOCTORATE.YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED MUCH.MORE THAN MOST OF US HERE CANIMAGINE ACCOMPLISHING IN OUR OWNLIVES.SHE WAS A HUGE GIFT FROM GODAND IF HE TAKES HER BACK WE WILLHAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.WE HAD A LITTLE 19 YEARS AND SHEWAS AWESOME.BRAD JOHANSON:FROM -- HABIT HERFOR 19 YEARS AND SHE WASAWESOME.BRAD JOHANSON: IN THE TIME IKNEW HER SHE CHANGED VERYLITTLE.WEEKENDS ARETRAINED TO REPAIRITS BUT IT COULD NOT CHANGE HERDESIRE TO HELP OTHERS.SHE BECAME MY GOOD FRIEND AND ILOVE HER.LAUREN: I AM NOT SCARED.I AM SCARED FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.MY FAMILY, I DO NOT KNOW HOWTHEY WILL HANDLE IT.BRAD JOHANSON:GOODBYE, 22.YOU WERE A HELL OF A PLAYER ANDWHEN YOU CAME ALONG WAS WHENEVERYTHING CHANGED.[APPLAUSE]PASTOR COREY POTTSIS THESENIOR PASTOR IN LAWRENCEBURG,INDIANA.LAWRENCESPOKE OFTEN OF HER --LAUREN SPOKE OFTEN OF HER FAITHAND HE WAS A DRIVING LIGHT FORTHE FAMILY.PLEASE WELCOME PASTOR COREYPOTTS.[APPLAUSE]REV. COREY POTTS SR.:FIRST OFFI WANT TO BEGIN TO LET YOU KNOWTHAT THIS IS AN HONOR AND APRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAKYOUR THIS EVENING.SITTING ON THE PLATFORM ANDLOOKING AROUND THE BUILDING, ISEE A VARIETY OF FACES.I SEE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENTWALKS OF LIFE, I SEE DIFFERENTRACES.I SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVEEXPERIENCED DIFFERENT WALKS,DIFFERENT TRIALS, DIFFERENTADVERSITIES, AND DIFFERENTEXPERIENCES.ALL OF THESE DIFFERENCES THAT WEHAVE, OUT OF ALL OF THE THINGSTHAT SEPARATE US, THERE IS STILLONE GREAT THING, ONE GREAT,CONQUERING POWER THAT UNITESEVERY SINGLE ONE OF US THAT HAVEGATHERED TONIGHT.THIS POWER IS SO GREAT THAT ITTRANSCENDS SICKNESSAND DISEASE,IT TRANSCENDS PAIN.THIS POWER TRANSCENDS ALL OF THEDIFFICULTY WE FACE IN OUR LIFE.THIS POWER HAS A NAME AND HISHOUR IS WHAT BINDS US TOGETHERAS HUMANS AND THAT POWER ISCALLED LOVE -- THIS POWERISWHAT BINDS US TOGETHER AS HUMANSAND THAT POWER IS CALLED LOVE.THAT POWER IS WHATCAUSES US TOSET EVERYTHING ASIDE ANDCELEBRATE A VERY SPECIAL PERSON.IT IS HARD TO STAND HERE AS WEMOURN THE LOSS OF LAUREN BUT WEKNOW SHE IS WITH US IN SPIRITAND HER SPIRIT LIVES ON.AND WE DO HAVE MUCH TO CELEBRATETHIS EVENING THROUGH THE GIFTTHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US, THAT GIFTOF LAUREN HILL.ASWE GATHER TO CELEBRATE ANDHONOR HER LIFE AND HER LEGACY,AND THE GIFT, WE MUST REMEMBERWHAT JOHN 15 AND 13 TELLS US.IT SAYS "GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONETHAN THIS, THAT THEY WOULD LAYDOWN THEIR LIFE FOR THEIRFRIENDS."I BELIEVE THAT THIS LOVE ISTANGIBLE AND THATLOVE CAN BEDEFINED VERY EASILY THISEVENING.WE CAN KNOW AND EXPERIENCE LOVEDBY PLACING THE WANTS, THE NEED,AND THE DESIRE OF SOMEBODY ELSEABOVE OUR OWN.AND LAUREN HILL EXEMPLIFIED THISVERSE.LAUREN LAID HER LIFE DOWN FOREVERYONE OF US THROUGHHER ACTOF LOVE.INSTEAD OF RETREATING AFTER HERDIAGNOSIS, SHE WAS BOUND ANDDETERMINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCEWITH THE TIME SHE HAD LEFT ONTHIS EARTH.INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON HERSELFSHE BEGAN TO FOCUS ON OTHERS ANDTHEIR STRUGGLES.ALL OF THE STRESS, ALL OF THENEWS FOOTAGE THAT SHE WAS A PARTOF WAS NOT FOR HERSELF.IT WAS TO BRING ATTENTION TODIPG.THE FOCUS WAS TO BENEFIT OTHERSBY BRINGING AWARENESS.ALL OF THE FUNDSRAISED FORRESEARCH, THE WERE OF NO USE FORLAUREN AND SHE KNEW THAT.CONCERN WAS FOR THOSE LEFTBEHIND.HER CONCERN WAS THAT OF THE 400-- THAT THE FUNDS WOULD BE USEDTO BRING HOPE TO THOSE WITHOUT ACURE.LAUREN DID NOT SET OUT ON THISJOURNEY TO BECOME FAMOUS OR TOBE PLACED IN THE LIMELIGHT, BUTWITH A CONTAGIOUS SMILE AND ANAWE-INSPIRING ATTITUDE, THEWORLD WAS INTRODUCED TO A TRUEGIFT FROM GOD.FROM LAURA AND WE CAN SEE THEHEART OF JESUS CHRIST -- FROMLAURENWE CAN SEE THE HEART OFJESUS CHRIST WORKING THROUGHHUMANITY AT ITS BEST.WE HAVE EXPERIENCED GOD'SHANDIWORK.I REMEMBER ONE MORE THING-- ONEMORNING CIVILIAN CHURCH AS WEDID PRAYER REQUESTS AND LAURENWAS THERE AND LAUREN SAID SHEHAD SOMETHING TO SAY.THE FIRST THING THAT SHE DID INPRAYER REQUEST TIME, INSTEAD OFASKING FOR SOFT, WAS TO ASK FORHER FOR ANOTHER LITTLE CHILDSUFFERING -- ASKING FOR HERSELF,WAS TO ASK FOR PRAYER FORANOTHER LITTLE CHILD SUFFERINGFROM DIPG.SHE SPOKE WITH A PRESENCE THATWAS SO FIRM.SHE SHARED WITH HER CHURCHCONGREGATION THAT SHE KNEW THATGOD HAD PLACED HER ON THIS EARTHTO BE A VOICE FOR THE ONES THATHAD NO VOICE.AND SHE KNEW THAT GOD HAD TASKEDHER TO BRING AWARENESS TO THISDISEASE THAT SHE WAS SUFFERINGFROM.AND LAUREN MADE IT EVIDENTLYCLEAR TO ALL OF US THAT THROUGHHER FACE AND HER CLEAR VIEW OFHER MISSION AND CONVICTION, BUTHER FAITH IN CHRIST WOULD CARRYHER THROUGH THE TRIAL.MORE ON HAS TAUGHT EVERY ONE OFUS HERE THAT WHEN WE ARE FACEDWITH -- LAURENHAS TAUGHTEVERYONE OF US HERE THAT WHEN WEARE FACED WITH ADVERSITY, NEVERGIVE UP.SECOND TIMOTHY TELLS US THIS."THEREFORE ENDURE HARDSHIP AS AGOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST."A GOOD SOLDIER BATTLES ON.A GOOD SOLDIERFOLLOWS THEMARCHING ORDERS OF THECOMMANDING OFFICER.A GOOD SOLDIER FIGHTS TO THEDEATH TO COMPLETE THE MISSION.AND I KNOW BEYOND A SHADOW OF ADOUBTTODAY THAT LAUREN WAS AGOOD SOLDIER AND SHE FOUGHT ANDCOMPLETED HER MISSION WITH THEUTMOST OF RESPECT AND DIGNITYAND GRACE.WE CELEBRATE TONIGHTLAUREN'SABILITY TO SOLDIER ON.WHEN I READ PHILIPPIANS3:15,LAUREN ENCOMPASSES THEDETERMINATION AND COURAGE TOFULFILL THE CALLING THAT GOD HASPLACED ON OUR LIFE."I PRESS ONTOWARDS THE GOAL TOWIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HASCALLED ME HEAVENWARD AND CRAZEDJESUS.-- ANDCHRIST JESUS."WHAT WE LEARNEDFROM HER WASUNIVERSAL AND APPLICABLE TOEVERY ONE OF US.WITH DARKNESS AND SORROW ANDHEART ACHE, WE MUST RESPOND.WHEN THE NEWS THAT YOU RECEIVEIS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU WANT ITTO BE, WHEN YOUR WORLD WASROCKED LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE ANDEVERYTHING AROUND YOU SEEMS TOBE FALLING, WE HAVE BUT TWOCHOICES TO MAKE.WHEN FACED WITH BADNEWS ANDADVERSITY WE CAN CHOOSE TO LAYDOWN AND GIVE UP, WE CAN CHOOSETO QUIT, AND WE CAN CHOOSE TO BEA VICTIM.OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO STEP UP, BIGIN OUR HEELS, GIRD OURSELVES INFAITH,AND BE A VICTOR.LAUREN CHOSE TO BE THE VICTOR.IN THE HOSPITAL, I WENT INEXPECTING TO CHEER HER UP AND ILEFT CHEERED UP.SHE CHEERED ME UP.HER ATTITUDE, IT WAS JUSTFANTASTIC AND EVERY TIME SHESPOKE I WOULD GET A CHUCKLE ANDI WOULD BE INCORRECT.ONE THING THAT CAUGHT MYATTENTION, MY WIFE AND I, SHESAYS TO US THEY SAID I WOULD NOTMAKE IT THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.GOD HAD OTHER PLANS.AND BOY IF THAT DOES NOT SPEAKVOLUMES ABOUT THE CHARACTER ANDFAITH OF LAUREN HILL, SCRIPTURETELLS US IN PHILIPPIANS 4:13 "ICAN DO ALL THINGS TO CHRISTJESUS WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH."LAUREN LEANED ON GOTHEAVILY, AGOD THAT LOVES US AND NEVERFORSAKES US -- GOD EVOLUTION, AGOD THAT LOVES US AND NEVERFORSAKES US.WHEN LAUREN WASFACED WITH THECHOICE OF BECOMING A VICTIM ORBECOMING A VECTOR, JUST WHAT --VICTOR, GUESS WHAT?LAUREN CHOSE TO FIGHTKNOWINGTHAT HER FAITH WOULD CARRY HERTHROUGH.SHE WAS IN A BATTLE.SHE WAS NOT IN ITS HALFHEARTEDAND WAS IN A FIGHT THAT SHEWOULD SEETHROUGH TO THE ENDAGAINST ALL ODDS.MORE ON FOUGHT TO THE END LIKE AGOOD SOLDIER.-- LAUREN FOUGHT TO THE END LIKEA GOOD SOLDIER.SHE LED THE CHARGE AGAINST THISILLNESS AND I KNOW THAT LAURENWENT OUT ON HER OWN TERMS.WHEN DIPG CAME KNOCKING ON MOREIN STORE-- LAUREN'S DOOR,EXPECTING TO RAVAGE HER MIND ANDSPIRIT, LAUREN HAD OTHERPLANS.SHE HAD EVERY INTENTION OF BEINGTHE VICTOR.HER VOICE WAS NOT SILENCED, ITWAS ONLY AMPLIFIED.LAUREN'S SPIRIT WAS NEVEROVERTAKEN BY SORROW.INSTEAD IT BE INFLATED CONSTANTLIGHT PIERCING -- IT BEAMEDLIKEA CONSTANT LIGHT PIERCING THEDARKNESS.LAURENTAUGHT US THAT VICTORY ISFOR THROUGH THE FIGHT AND COMESBY DEFEATING WHAT STANDS IN OURWAY.WE CELEBRATE TONIGHT KNOWINGTHAT LAUREN CHOSE TO FIGHT.WHAT DO WE DO TO CELEBRATELAUREN THIS EVENING?THERE ARE SO MANY MIXED EMOTIONSGOING INTO WHAT WE ARE DOINGTONIGHT.SAYING GOODBYE.WHAT WE HAVE MUCH TO CELEBRATE.AS WE SIT HERE TONIGHT, WE HAVETO REFLECT HOW DO WECELEBRATEAS WE ARE GRIEVING.HOW DO WE HONOR LAUREN?WE CELEBRATE BY KNOWING THATHAVING LAUREN WITH US ON EARTHGIVE US A GLIMPSE OF WHAT WE ALLCAN BECOME THROUGH GRACE.WE CELEBRATE KNOWING THAT WE CANTAKE A PAGE FROM LAUREN'SPLAYBOOK AND TAKE ALL TRIALS ANDDISAPPOINTMENTS WITH AN ATTITUDEOF GRATITUDE, KNOWING THAT THEREIS GOOD IN ALL SITUATIONS, BUTWE CAN OVERCOME AND BECOMEVICTORIOUS.ALL WE MUST DO IS FOCUS OURPERSPECTIVE.WE CELEBRATE TOGETHER TONIGHT,KNOWING THAT LAUREN SHOWED USWHAT IT LOOKED LIKE WHEN WE STEPINTO OUR GOD-GIVEN CALLING ANDOVERCOME ALL CIRCUMSTANCES ANDAUDITS.WE CELEBRATE TOGETHER TONIGHTTHE LEGACY THAT LAUREN HAS LEFTFOR US ON THIS EARTH.THAT LEGACY NOW BECOMES OURGREAT RESPONSIBILITY.IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HOLDUP THE TORCH AND CONTINUE.LAUREN HAS PASSED THE TORCH ONTO US AND THE QUESTION WE MUSTASK TONIGHT IS WHAT WILL WE DOWITH THAT LIGHT?WE CELEBRATE TOGETHERKNOWINGTHAT THIS IS NOT A FINAL GOODBYETO LAUREN, IT IS A TEMPORARY ONEAND WE WILL SEE HER AGAIN.I AM SO GLAD THAT I HAVE PEACEIN MY HEART TONIGHT KNOWING THATLAUREN ACCEPTED JESUS AS YOURPERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR ANDBECAUSE OF THAT WE WILL SEE HERAGAIN IN HEAVEN.FOR ALL OF THOSE OUT THERE WHOTHINK THAT THIS STORY AND THELIFE OF LAUREN AND THE CAUSE ISJUST A FAD, A FLEETINGMOMENT, IWANT TO SAY TO YOU THINK AGAIN.WE WILL HONOR LAURENAND KEEPTHE MOMENTUM UP OF WHAT SHE HASSTARTED BY BETTERING OURSELVESFIRST, BY SACRIFICING FOR ONEANOTHER, BY LAYING DOWN OURLIVES FOR THOSE WE DO NOT EVENKNOW.WE WILL HONOR HER BY FOLLOWINGHER EXAMPLE.THE GREAT THEOLOGIAN JOHN WESLEYCHALLENGED US WITH THIS QUOTE."DO ALL OF THE GOOD THAT YOU CANBUY ALL OF THE MEANS THAT YOUCAN IN ALL OF THE WAYS THAT YOUCAN IN ALL OF THE PLACES THATYOU CAN AT ALL OF THE TIMES THATYOU CANTO ALL OF THE PEOPLETHAT YOU CAN AS LONG AS YOU EVERCAN."AND I BELIEVE THATLAUREN HAVETHAT DOWN TO PERFECTION.SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HONORLAUREN?FULLY SURRENDER YOUR LIFEHIMSTEP AND DO THE CALLING THAT GODHAS PLACED ON YOU.FULFILL THE PLAN THAT HE HAS SETBEFORE YOU.IF WE COULD ALL DO THIS ONETHING, WE WILLTRANSCEND JUSTTRYING TO BE BETTER PEOPLE ANDACTUALLY BECOME WHAT GODINTENDED US TO BE.WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE TRANSFORMED,THIS WORLD WILL BE TRANSFORMED.AND LUCKY FOR US, LAUREN HILLMADE THAT LOOK VERY EASY.I BELIEVE THAT IF LAUREN WASHERE TONIGHT, SHE WOULDENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR TRIUMPHAND SICKNESS AND DISEASE AND IWERE OF DARKNESS AND SAY TO YOU,NEVER GIVE UP.LAUREN, WE LOVE YOU AND WE SUREWILL MISS YOU.BUT WE KNOW WE WILL SEE YOUAGAIN.I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TODOSOMETHING WITH ME IN THE STADIUMTONIGHT.WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND WITH ME?LAUREN HILL BEGAN HER COLLEGEBASKETBALL CAREER HERE IN THISCENTER WITH A ROAR OFAPPLAUSE,THE WELCOMING OF A HERO.AND HOW FITTINGIT WILL BE TOGIVE HER A HERO'S GOODBYE.CAN WE CARRIED IT ONE MORE TIMEFOR THE BRAVES, THE COURAGEOUS,-- CAN WE HEAR IT ONE MORE TIMEFOR THE BRAVE, THE COURAGEOUS,THE AWESOME LAUREN HILL?[APPLAUSE][APPLAUSE]A SISTER OF CHARITY FOR OVER50 YEARS, NANCY BRAMLAGE IS NOWTHE DIRECTOR AT THE UNIVERSITY.LAUREN WOULD ALWAYS BRIGHTEN UPWHEN SHE SAW SISTER NANCY COMINGTO HER TO SAY HELLO.A GUARANTEED WAY TO CHEER UP HERDAY.PLEASE WELCOME SISTER NANCYBARLETT, WHO WILL OFFERTHEFINAL BENEDICTION.[APPLAUSE]SISTER NANCY BARLAGE: WHAT ALEGACY.AND WHAT A VICTORY THAT WECELEBRATE TONIGHT.A VICTORY FOR LAUREN.AND SO WECOME TO THE END OFTHIS MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LAURENHILL, A YOUNG WOMAN WHO BECAMEIN A VERY SHORT TIME A HERO FORUS.A MODEL OF PERSEVERANCEIN THEFACE OF GREAT TRIAL.A PERSON WITH BIGDREAMS.FOR HELPING OTHERS IN NEED WHOSAW THOSE DREAMS FULFILLED.WE HAVE SPENT SOME TIMETONIGHTHONORING LAUREN, THANKING GODFOR THE GIFT SHE WAS FOR US.AND PRAISING GODFOR WHAT GODWAS ABLE TO DO THROUGH HER.NOW WE WANT TO ASK GOD'SBLESSING ON US, ON ALL OFUS WHOARE LEFT BEHIND NOWTO CARRY ONHER LEGACY.WHENLAUREN CAME TO MOUNT SAINTJOSEPH UNIVERSITY, SHE HEARD FORTHE FIRST TIME ABOUT A WOMANNAMED SAINT ELIZABETH SETON.THAT WAS A NEW NAME TO HER.AND IF SHE WANTED TO LEARN MOREABOUT HER.FOR SHE WAS A WOMAN, SHE WAS THEWOMAN WHO FOUNDED THECONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OFCHARITY FOUNDEDMOUNT SAINTJOSEPH UNIVERSITY.SAINT ELIZABETH SETON WAS AWOMAN WHO, LIKE LAUREN, FACEDSERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES.FIRST WITH HER HUSBAND, WHO DIEDOF TB.AND THEN TWO OF HER FIVECHILDREN ALSO DIED OF TB.AND THEN SHE FACED HER OWNDEMISE AND PASSING FROM TB.BUTSHE, LIKE LAUREN, HAD ASTRONG BELIEF THAT GOD WASWALKING WITH HER ON THISDIFFICULT JOURNEY.AND GOD WOULD CONTINUE TO BEWITH HER TO THE END.AND DID NOTLAUREN BELIEVE THATALSO?I WOULD LIKE TO RECALL TO YOUONE THOUGHT ELIZABETH SETONSHARED WITH THOSE WHO WEREWALKING WITH HER IN HER VALLEYOF TEARS.ELIZABETH SAID"IF WE MUST BESEPARATED HERE, AT LEAST LET USENJOY THE REUNION OF ETERNITY."LET ME REPEAT THAT.MIKE: THATIS NANCY BRAMLAGESPEAKING, AS THIS COMES TO ANEND, AND INSPIRING NIGHTREMEMBERING LAUREN HILL.MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH BASKETBALLPLAYER.FOR THOSE OF YOU WATCHING ONWLWT, WE ARE GOING TO STEP AWAY,TAKE A BREAK, AND AIR "THEVOICEOF."SHEREE: THOSE OF YOU WATCHINGTHE TV, WE WILL CONTINUE AIRINGTHE MEMORIAL.THERE WILL BE MORE COVERAGETONIGHT AT 11:00.SISTER NANCY BARLAGE: WE NOWMUST YOU ON WITHOUT HER PHYSICALPRESENCE, -- MUST GOON WITHOUTHER PHYSICAL PRESENCE,STRENGTHEN THEM WITH YOUR LOVEFOR NOW.GOD, WE ASK YOU TO BLESSALSOTHE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARESUFFERING FROM THIS PEDIATRICBRAIN DISEASE.AND MAY WE FIND THATCURETHAT LAUREN WANTED SO MUCH.WE ASK ALL OF THESE BLESSINGSFROM OUR GOD WHO LOVES US ALL.AMEN.AND THIS CONCLUDESOUR MEMORIALSERVICE FOR LAUREN HILL.WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOININGUS THIS EVENING TO CELEBRATE HERLIFE AND TO THANK GOD FOR IT.♪I USED TO BITE MY TONGUEAND HOLD MY BREATHI SIT QUIETLYPOLITELYI GUESSI FORGOT I HAD A CHOICEI LET YOU PUSH ME PAST THEBREAKING POINTI FELL FOR EVERYTHING.YOU HELD ME DOWN BUT I GOT UPALREADYYOU HEAR MY VOICE, HERE IS THATSOUNDYOU HELD ME DOWN BUT I GOT UPGET READYI SEE IT ALL, I SEE IT NOWI GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGERDANCING THROUGH THE FIREYOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ME ROARI AM ACHAMPIONAND YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR MEROARYOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ME ROARNOW I AM FLOATING LIKE ABUTTERFLYSTINGING LIKE IT BE-- LIKE A BEEYOU HELD ME DOWN BUT I GOT UPALREADYYOU HEAR MY VOICEHERE'S THAT SOUNDYOU HELD ME DOWN BUT I GOT UPGET READY BECAUSE I HAVE HADENOUGHI HAVE SEEN IT ALL, I SEE IT NOWI'VE GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGERI AM DANCING THROUGH THE FIREI AM A CHAMPIONAND YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR MEROARLOUDER THAN A LIONBECAUSE I AM A CHAMPIONAND YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR MEROARYOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ME ROARYOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ME ROARROAR, ROAR,ROAR, ROAR,ROARI'VE GOT THE EYE OF A TIGERDANCING THROUGH THE FIREI AM A CHAMPIONAND YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR MEROARLOUDER THAN A LIONI AM A CHAMPIONAND YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR MEROARYOU ARE GOING TO HEAR MEROARYOU HEAR ME ROARYOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ME ROAR ♪MIKE:A CELEBRATION OF LIFETONIGHT THAT FITTINGLY ENDS WITHTHE KATY PERRY SONG "ROAR" FORTHE FORMER LAWRENCEBURG TIGERAND THE MOUNT SAINT JOE LION.LAUREN HILL DID NOT LOSE HERBATTLE WITH CANCER, SHE BEATDIPG WITH THE WAY THAT SHELIVED.WHAT A DIFFERENCE MAKER SHEWAS,SHINING LIGHT ON THE FIGHTAGAINST PEDIATRIC CANCER.THE PEOPLE LEAVING THE CINTASCENTER, LAUREN HASRAISED $1.5MILLION FOR THE CURE STARTS NOW.AN INCREDIBLE PERSONPLACED INHER LIFE IN THE GREATERCINCINNATI AREA, SOMEBODY TOCELEBRATE NOT ONLY NOW BUT FOR ALONG TIME TO COME.SHEREE: HER FIGHT CONTINUES ON,JUST TODAY THEY LAUNCHED A NEWCAMPAIGN.IT IS CALLED CLUB 22.SHE HAD A NEW GOAL OF $2.2MILLION SHE WANTED TORAISE.AS I AM WATCHING THIS, WHAT ABEAUTIFUL SERVICE.IT HAD THE PERFECT AMOUNT OFHEART AND HUMOR, YOU FELT LIKEYOU KNEW HER AND YOU WANT YOURFAMILY, HER MOTHER AND FATHERAND BROTHER AND SISTER SITTINGTHERE ANDHE BASKETBALL FAMILY,FROM LAWRENCEBURG AND THE ONEFROM MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH.SEE THOSE GIRLS IN THE UNIFORMFIGHTING BACK TEARS, YOU KNOWTHIS HAS BEEN QUITE A BATTLE FORTHEM TO WATCH THEIR FRIENDSLOWLY SLIP AWAY.I THOUGHT IT WAS ABSOLUTELYBEAUTIFUL.MIKE:SOMETHING THAT ISDEVELOPED TO ME, UNFORTUNATELYBECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO WE HAVEBEEN DOING A LOT OF THESE --SOMETHING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME,UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF WHAT WEDO WE HAVE BEEN TO A LOT OFTHESE BUT I HAVE NEVER SEENPEOPLE STANDING AND APPLAUDING.IT WAS A STANDING OVATION ANDSHE WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED IT.HER FAMILY AND THE HEAD COACHGETTING SO EMOTIONAL.

Lauren Hill memorial service at Cintas Center

The 10,000-seat Cintas Center is where Hill had one of her greatest moments. Hill made a left-handed layup to open a Division III game on Nov. 2, the first of five layups in her career.